Heart Of Gold Recipients Honored
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
The reception, presented by Kosciusko County Community Foundation Inc., was held at Center Lake Pavilion.
Recipients are recommended by community members who nominate them. Ten nominees were selected by Kosciusko County Community Foundation volunteers to have their stories highlighted during the reception.[[In-content Ad]]Recipients were selected based on their service to others, identifying a need and fulfilling it, working to create positive change and inspiring others to volunteer.
"The purpose of the award is to celebrate ordinary citizens who serve others in extraordinary ways," said Kosciusko County Community Foundation Executive Director Suzie Light.
Roz Morgan, founding director of Our Father's House, gave the keynote address.
"Our world is only as healthy as the individuals and volunteers who live in it," Morgan said.
The nominees and nominators were presented by Marsha Cook and Tracy Jackson.
Each person nominated for a Heart of Gold award received a Heart of Gold pin, a certificate and the opportunity to recommend a Community Foundation grant to the area charity of their choice.
Marsha Cook and Tracy Jackson read the nominees' and nominators' names and highlighted the stories of 10 nominees, including:
- Noreta Mort, a retired Wawasee High School teacher, who continues to volunteer in the school system during the week. When not volunteering at school, she helps transport people to and from doctors appointments and has made many visits to those who are hospitalized or recovering from an illness at home.
- Bill Myers, local dentist who was nominated by one of his staff members, for donating time and services to make a difference in the smiles and lives of those who might not otherwise have had the confidence to smile.
- Teresa Lisenbee, for her work with mentally and physically handicapped individuals through her employment at Cardinal Center.
- Joanne Shartzer, for her volunteer work with "Teen Parents Succeeding," serving as a loving grandmother and great-grandmother to teen mothers and their babies.
- Alexis and Lacey Lisenbee, for their volunteer efforts at Combined Community Services for the school supply give away, stocking food pantry shelves and leading the annual food-a-thon event. The sisters help answer phones at Combined Community Services and are the first to give up sleep on a Saturday morning to help unload truckloads of donations.
- Ruby French, who raises money for breast cancer research and has a special place in her heart for sick children.
- Mark Burks and Dr. Roberta Rose, who were nominated together by a foreign exchange student from Kenya who benefited from their volunteerism in purchasing the student a laptop computer so he could learn how to obtain a new visa to study in the United States.
- John Warren, for his leadership positions for United Way, Cardinal Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Baker Youth Clubs and Toys for Tots.
- Peggy Owens, for her volunteering at the Kosciusko County Jail for the past nine years bringing her joy of music with her keyboard on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings. She also teaches a Bible study to female inmates.
- Barbara Lainez, for her work at Jefferson Elementary School as an English as a second language assistant.
The Heart of Gold committee is Sheri Bryant, Tracy Jackson, Cheryl Malmloff, Pam Messmore and Fay Montelongo.
The reception, presented by Kosciusko County Community Foundation Inc., was held at Center Lake Pavilion.
Recipients are recommended by community members who nominate them. Ten nominees were selected by Kosciusko County Community Foundation volunteers to have their stories highlighted during the reception.[[In-content Ad]]Recipients were selected based on their service to others, identifying a need and fulfilling it, working to create positive change and inspiring others to volunteer.
"The purpose of the award is to celebrate ordinary citizens who serve others in extraordinary ways," said Kosciusko County Community Foundation Executive Director Suzie Light.
Roz Morgan, founding director of Our Father's House, gave the keynote address.
"Our world is only as healthy as the individuals and volunteers who live in it," Morgan said.
The nominees and nominators were presented by Marsha Cook and Tracy Jackson.
Each person nominated for a Heart of Gold award received a Heart of Gold pin, a certificate and the opportunity to recommend a Community Foundation grant to the area charity of their choice.
Marsha Cook and Tracy Jackson read the nominees' and nominators' names and highlighted the stories of 10 nominees, including:
- Noreta Mort, a retired Wawasee High School teacher, who continues to volunteer in the school system during the week. When not volunteering at school, she helps transport people to and from doctors appointments and has made many visits to those who are hospitalized or recovering from an illness at home.
- Bill Myers, local dentist who was nominated by one of his staff members, for donating time and services to make a difference in the smiles and lives of those who might not otherwise have had the confidence to smile.
- Teresa Lisenbee, for her work with mentally and physically handicapped individuals through her employment at Cardinal Center.
- Joanne Shartzer, for her volunteer work with "Teen Parents Succeeding," serving as a loving grandmother and great-grandmother to teen mothers and their babies.
- Alexis and Lacey Lisenbee, for their volunteer efforts at Combined Community Services for the school supply give away, stocking food pantry shelves and leading the annual food-a-thon event. The sisters help answer phones at Combined Community Services and are the first to give up sleep on a Saturday morning to help unload truckloads of donations.
- Ruby French, who raises money for breast cancer research and has a special place in her heart for sick children.
- Mark Burks and Dr. Roberta Rose, who were nominated together by a foreign exchange student from Kenya who benefited from their volunteerism in purchasing the student a laptop computer so he could learn how to obtain a new visa to study in the United States.
- John Warren, for his leadership positions for United Way, Cardinal Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Baker Youth Clubs and Toys for Tots.
- Peggy Owens, for her volunteering at the Kosciusko County Jail for the past nine years bringing her joy of music with her keyboard on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings. She also teaches a Bible study to female inmates.
- Barbara Lainez, for her work at Jefferson Elementary School as an English as a second language assistant.
The Heart of Gold committee is Sheri Bryant, Tracy Jackson, Cheryl Malmloff, Pam Messmore and Fay Montelongo.
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